Editor’s note: Every Wednesday from now until the East End Improvement Association’s 100th Alton Halloween Parade, Monday, Oct. 31, The Telegraph will offer the history from its archives, as written at the time, behind one of the nation’s longest-running and few Halloween parade celebrations.

Several hundred people last night forgot that the nation was on the verge of a great coal strike, forgot the unsettled conditions throughout the country, and forgot to worry about the ever mounting high cost of living, to dress up in outlandish costumes and participate in the East End Improvement Association’s Halloween celebration.

Hundreds of others lined the streets to watch the antics of the maskers. Long before the time for the parade, East Broadway from Ridge Street west was crowded with people. It looked like circus day.

The parade formed at 7:30 and came west to the city hall, where the band played and then returned to the east end on Broadway. At every corner the band stopped and played. So great was the crowd following the music that all traffic was stopped when the band stopped to play.

The parade was led by a tall man dressed in garb, who carried a baton and led the band. With him was a man dressed as Uncle Sam. Then (they) followed the band.

Every member of the band was costumed. Almost every kind of costume, from that of a farmer to that of a beautiful young lady, was seen in the band. Frank Schenk, the clarinet player, easily captured first place. He wore women’s clothes, being garbed in a dark suit and small hat. His face was nicely rouged, and were it not for his masculine walk, he easily could have passed for a member of the fairer sex.

Behind the band was a singing, cheering, howling mass of people. Young and old alike followed the band just as in the “good old days.” Every kind of costume the human mind could devise was seen in that crowd of people.

Following the parade the maskers went to Turner Hall, where there was a dance. More than 800 people paid admission to the dance. The dancing floor was a moving mass of people. Joy reigned supreme in that crowd, and the carnival spirit prevailed.

Many people have contrasted last night with the Halloween of a year ago. It is estimated that several thousand people participated in the East End festival, either by masking or standing on the sidewalks cheering.

There were dances in many sections of the city, and there were countless gatherings in homes, to say nothing of the hundreds of people who came down town to “look on.”

A year ago, this city, like the rest of the nation, was sad. It was at this time in 1918 that the news of Alton boys killed in battle began to be received here. It was at this time that the allied armies were accomplishing the impossible, pushing back the troops of the central powers.

The nation then awaited breathlessly for news of the supreme struggle in France, and many mourned the loss of loved ones, so that Halloween was a mere sham.

But last night, the people forgot everything save the desire to be free and happy. The shouting, cheering and laughter showed just how much fun a relaxed people can have.